Inside the New York Yankees clubhouse with MLB.com beat writer Bryan Hoch.

Game 9: Yankees vs. Angels

The Yankees will play under the lights at Yankee Stadium for the first time this season tonight in the rubber game of this three-game set with the Los Angeles Angels of Anaheim. This marks the 65th anniversary of Jackie Robinson’s 1947 debut with the Brooklyn Dodgers, and all players in tonight’s game will wear No. 42. A pregame ceremony will include Rachel Robinson, Jackie’s widow, as well as his daughter Sharon.

“I think it’s extremely important that we recognize Jackie every year because of what he endured and how he did it with such dignity, and how well he carried himself,” Yankees manager Joe Girardi said. “He’s an example for all of us because I think at times we’re all going to be tested in life. I think it’s just a great day and I think players look forward to it. It’s an honor to be able to put on No. 42.”

The Yankees send Ivan Nova back to the hill after he logged the team’s first victory of the year in his last start at Baltimore.

“(I hope he will) continue to do what he did last time,” Girardi said. “He attacked the zone, I thought he pitched inside effectively, I thought he used his changeup effectively. He’s going to see his share of right-handed hitters tonight, so I think his curveball and slider will be important.”

As much as I have complained about Brian Cashman he was right about Rafael Soriano. This guy has shown me NOTHING as a middle reliever with the Yankees. Cashman never wanted him and he was absolutely correct. This performance was DISGRACEFUL Sorianoi.

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